Oppositional defiant disorder in children – how to manage

Being a parent, you certainly hope that your children will have good behavior and study well. However, dreams do not come true easily. Many parents are actually struggling with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in children. The site VKool.com has posted an article about causes, symptoms, and treatment of oppositional defiant disorder in children. Keep reading for more information.

Oppositional defiant disorder is the behavioral form of angry mood. It is actually a childhood disorder characterized by defiant, negative, disobedient and even hostile behavior towards parents, teachers and other adults. If this type of behavior lasts at least 6 months, it will be considered oppositional defiant disorder.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder In Children – Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

Oppositional Defiant Disorder In Children – Causes

Oppositional Defiant Disorder In Children – Symptoms

Oppositional Defiant Disorder In Children – Treatment

Respond Without Anger

Be Consistent

Be Objective

Improve Social Skills

I. Oppositional Defiant Disorder In Children – Causes

There is not any clear cause of oppositional defiant disorder in children. The contributing causes are inheritance and environmental factors. The environmental factors are problems with raising and educating children at home or at school, which include harsh or inconsistent discipline, abuse, neglect or a lack of considerate supervision.

II. Oppositional Defiant Disorder In Children – Symptoms

The typical symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder in children are

Lose temper easily

Argue with parents, teachers, and other adults or authority figures

Refuse to obey adults

Blame others for their mistakes

Annoy other people on purpose

Be annoyed by others easily

Be resentful and vindictive

If children have at least four of the behaviors listed above for six months, they may be diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder. The most important element to consider if it ODD is the intensity and frequency. Every child shows some of the above behaviors, but they are not all ODD children. ODD may appear any time, and may develop with a mood disorder.

With oppositional defiant children, there are some different types of misbehavior. You may have a kid who is experiencing temper loss, or an adolescent who has ODD for years. Your child may think that justice and fairness can only be found in verbally and physically abuse. Children who have oppositional defiant disorder often consider themselves victims of others’ behavior, and try to find happiness by acting out.

You may feel disappointed at the way your oppositional defiant disorder children behave as it is really hard to deal with. It seems easier for you to give it than to manage the ODD or respond to it appropriately. You may even feel defeated due to the stress levels and exhaustion. Anyway, you should learn to respond in an appropriate way to decrease your child’s misbehavior.

III. Oppositional Defiant Disorder In Children – Treatment

What should you do to manage your ODD child?

1. Respond Without Anger

Being a parent, you should respond to your oppositional defiant disorder child patiently and without anger. You should learn to calm down in any conversation conflict with your ODD child. Having ODD means your child will lose his temper very easily. If you also easily lose your temper when you communicate with him, you will not be able to educate him and manage his ODD. During the period of ODD, your child needs your sympathy and understanding to take him out of this difficult time. Therefore, no matter how hard it is, you should still keep calm, patient, and tolerant in the way you respond to your child. You should also explain to him how he will have to change his behavior to be loved by you and others.

If you are unable to keep calm during your conversations with your child, you may attend a parent training course to learn how to respond to your ODD child without anger.

You should find your child’s good points and praise him more often. This will help encourage him to improve himself to behave better. Do not scold or shout at your child even when he makes big mistakes.

2. Be Consistent

Though you should not scold or shout at your ODD child, you should always be consistent. If you are too easy with your child, he may consider you nothing, and do everything he wants to do. Therefore, you need to be decisive and consistent in managing his bad behavior.

3. Be Objective

If your oppositional defiant disorder kid acts out, you should stay as objective as you can rather than considering his behavior your personal issue. Only when you see a problem with your objective look, can you figure a good solution to it. If you consider it your personal problem, you may not find the best solution to help your child get out of it. Sometimes, you should be a great actor or actress with your kid. In order to do this, you should practice calm, consistence, and tolerance.

When a child has oppositional defiant disorder, it is really difficult for him to get out of it himself. Being a parent, you should try your best to take him out of the case. Do not give in and feel regret later.

4. Improve Social Skills

The way your child behaves as an oppositional defiant disorder kid reflects that his social skills are not very good. Being a parent, you should learn about this, improve your social skills, and then share with your child. You should tell him that the way to treat a good friend is different from the way we do that with a bad one. The way we behave towards a friendly person is certainly different from the way we behave towards a severe one.

You may read to him stories with special situations and teach him how to behave appropriately in those cases. This is a good way to educate your child, and build up the good manner. When his social skills are improved, the oppositional defiant disorder will gradually disappear.

The most important part of oppositional defiant disorder treatment is to understand your ODD child’s feelings, sympathize, and show your unconditional love to him. This is not easy, but being a parent who loves your kid, you will be able to do this successfully. Visit our Health page to learn more.

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